Elastic Weight Training Apparatus with Built-in Grip

ABSTRACT

An elastic weight training apparatus includes a hollow main body and a grip. The main body is made of rubber and has an inner surface that defines an inner space, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, at least one opening extending through the inner and outer surfaces and communicating with the inner space, and two positioning portions disposed on the inner surface opposite to each other. The grip has a rod-shaped body disposed in the inner space and has two opposite end portions respectively connected to the positioning portions.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a weight training apparatus, more particularlyto an elastic weight training apparatus with a built-in grip.

BACKGROUND

Existing apparatuses used for weight training, such as dumbbells,kettlebells, etc., are mostly made by metal casting. Although they canachieve the desired purpose of weight training, because the materials ofthese weight training apparatuses are hard, they are likely to causeinjury to the user due to accidental dropping or bumping.

Further, to provide a variety of different weight specifications ofweight training apparatuses for a user to choose from according tohis/her requirement, a variety of sizes of molds must be made to producea variety of weight training apparatuses with different weights.However, the molds are expensive. Moreover, because the impurity contentof the casting raw material is not easy to control so that theproportion of the raw materials is changed, the weight trainingapparatus after casting has a large weight error and an unstablequality.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an elasticweight training apparatus that has a built-in grip and that can minimizeinjury to a user.

According to this disclosure, an elastic weight training apparatuscomprises a hollow main body and a grip. The main body is made of rubberand has an inner surface that defines an inner space, an outer surfaceopposite to the inner surface, at least one opening extending throughthe inner and outer surfaces and communicating with the inner space, andtwo positioning portions disposed on the inner surface opposite to eachother. The main body has a wall thickness measured. from the outersurface to the inner surface, or vice versa. The grip has a rod-shapedbody disposed in the inner space and has two opposite end portionsrespectively connected to the positioning portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent inthe following detailed description of the embodiments with reference tothe accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatusaccording to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatusaccording to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatusaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present. disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded sectional view of the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training appar-atusaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatusaccording to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the sixth embodiment. taken along line ofFIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present disclosure is described in greater detail withreference to the accompanying embodiment, it should be noted herein thatlike elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. I, an elastic weight train thg apparatus 100 accordingto the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown to comprise amain body 10 and a grip 20.

The main body 10 is hollow, is made of rubber (natural or syntheticrubber), and has a center line (L), an inner surface 12 having aspherical shape surrounding the center line (L) and defining an innerspace 121, an outer surface 13 opposite to the inner surface 12, anopening 14 extending through the inner and outer surfaces 12, of anupper portion of the main body 10 and communicating with the inner space121, and two positioning portions 15 disposed on the inner surface 12opposite to each other across the center line (L) The main body 10 has awall thickness (t) measured from the outer surface 13 to the innersurface 12, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the wall thickness (t) ofthe main body 10 is uniform. Alternatively, the wall thickness (t) ofthe main body 10 at a lower portion thereof may be greater than that ofan upper portion thereof (see phantom lines in FIG. 1). That is, theupper portion of the main body 10 is thinner than the lower portionthereof. Each positioning portion 15 has positioning hole 151communicating with the inner space 121.

The grip 20 has a rod-shaped body disposed in the inner space 121 andtransverse to the center line (L). The grip 20 has two opposite endportions 21 respectively inserted into the positioning holes 151 andpositioned thereat.

In use, a user's hand simply extends into the inner space 121 via theopening 14 and holds the grip 20 to perform a weight training exercise.

As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the mainbody 10 opposite to the opening 14 is thicker than the upper portionthereof. Through this, the center of gravity of the elastic weight.training apparatus 100 is located at the lower portion of the main body10, so that the opening 14 is maintained facing upward. Thus, theelastic weight train ng apparatus 100 has a roly-poly shape.

By making the main body 10 with different wall thickness (t), weighttraining apparatuses with different weight specifications can be made,so that the manufacturing cost thereof can be saved. Further, becausethe main body 10 is made of rubber, injury to the user due to accidentaldropping or bumping of the elastic weight training apparatus 100 can beminimized.

FIG. 2 illustrates the second embodiment of the elastic weight trainingapparatus 100′ of this disclosure, which is generally identical to thefirst embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the main body 10′ has afeat portion 16 located at one side of the center line (L). When theelastic weight training apparatus 100′ is placed on a planar surface,the flat portion 16 forms an included angle (θ) with the center line(L). The included angle (θ) ranges from 30° to 60°. Preferably, theincluded angle (θ) is 45°.

FIG. 3 illustrates the third embodiment of the elastic weight trainingapparatus 100″ of this disclosure, which is generally identical to thefirst embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the lower portion of themain body 10″ is also provided with an opening 14 opposite to theopening 14 in the upper portion of the main body 10″, the positioninghole 151″ of each positioning portion 15″ extends through the inner andouter surfaces 12, 13 of the main body 10″, and the two end portions 21″of the grip 20″ respectively extend through the positioning holes 151″of the positioning portions 15″ to protrude out of the main body 10″.Further, each end portion 21″ of the grip 20″ is provided with anexternal thread 22. The elastic weight training apparatus 100″ furthercomprises at least two counterweights 40 respectively mounted on the endportions 21″ of the grip 20″. The grip 20″ further has two blockingmembers 23 engaged threadedly and respectively to the external threads22 of the end portions 21″ so as to position the counterweights 40 onthe respective end portions 21″. The blocking members 23 can limit theposition. of the grip 20″ relative to the main body 10″. The elasticweight training apparatus 100″ can have a function of counterweightadjustment by using counterweights 40 of different thicknesses andsizes. The third embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of thefirst embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fourth embodiment of the elastic weighttraining apparatus (100 a) of this disclosure is shown to be generallyidentical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, theelastic weight training apparatus (100 a) further comprises a pluralityof counterweights (40 a) and an auxiliary counterweight 70. The mainbody (10 a) further has a fixing seat 18 provided on the lower portionthereof and opposite to the opening 14. The fixing seat 18 has a screwhole 181. The auxiliary counterweight 70 is secured to the fixing seat18 by a screw 71 which engages the screw hole 181.

Each positioning portion (15 a) includes a fixing member 30 fixedbetween the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body (10 a), anda connecting member 50 disposed on a respective one of the end portions(21 a) of the grip (20 a) and removably connected to the fixing member30. The fixing member 30 has a plurality of anchor holes 31 formedbetween the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body (10 a), anda screw hole 32 surrounded by the anchor holes 31. The connecting member50 includes a fastening portion 51 and a movable sleeve 52. Thefastening portion 51 includes a threaded shank 511 threadedly engaged tothe screw hole 32, and an external thread section 512 opposite to thethreaded shank 511 and having a diameter larger than that of thethreaded shank 511. The movable sleeve 52 has a tubular body 520 formedwith an internally threaded hole 5201, and an annular flange 521extending inwardly from a peripheral end of the tubular body 520 anddefining a through hole 5211 communicating with the internally threadedhole 5201. The movable sleeve 52 is connected. threadedly and removablyto the fastening portion 51 through engagement of the external threadsection 512 and the internally threaded hole 5201.

Each end portion (21 a) of the grip (20 a) has a head 211 positioned inthe tubular body 520 of the movable sleeve 52 of the connecting member50 of a respective one of the positioning portions (15 a), such that themovable sleeves 52 of the connecting members 50 of the positioningportions (15 a) are movable toward and away from. each other along alength. of the grip (20 a).

Two counterweights (40 a) are exemplified in this embodiment. Eachcounterweight (40 a) is sleeved on the fastening portion 51 of arespective one of the connecting members 50, and is positioned betweenthe inner surface 12 of the main body (10 a) and the movable sleeve 52of the respective connecting member 50.

By pre-embedding the fixing member 30 of each positioning portion (15 a)between the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body (10 a), byengaging the threaded shank. 511 of the fastening portion 51 of each.connecting member 50 with the screw hole 32 of the fixing member 30 of arespective positioning portion (15 a), and with the end. portions (21 a)of the grip (20 a) being limited rotatably and respectively within thetubular bodies 520 of the movable sleeves 52 of the connecting members50, the grip (20 a) can be firmly positioned within the inner space 121between the connecting members 50, and each counterweight (40 a) can belimited and positioned between the inner surface 12 of the main body (10a) and the movable sleeve 52 of the respective connecting member 50. Theelastic weight training apparatus (100 a) can have a function ofcounterweight adjustment by using auxiliary counterweights 70 ofdifferent thicknesses and sizes. The fourth embodiment can achieve thesame effects as those of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the fifth embodiment of the elastic weight trainingapparatus (100 b) of this disclosure is shown to be generally identicalto the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the main body (10b) further has two cutouts 19 corresponding in. position to thepositioning portions (15 b), the positioning holes (151 b) of thepositioning portions (15 b) respectively communicate with the cutouts19, and the end portions (21 b) of the grip (20 b) respectively extendinto the cutouts 19 through the positioning holes (151 b). The wallthickness (t) of the main body (10 b) at the lower portion thereof isgreater than that of the upper portion thereof. Each end portion (21 b)of the grip (20 b) is provided with an external thread (22 b).

The elastic weight training apparatus (100 b) further comprises at leasttwo counterweights (40 b) which are respectively threaded to theexternal threads (22 b) of the end portions (21 b) of the grip 20(b) andwhich are respectively located in the cutouts 19. The elastic weighttraining apparatus (100 b) can have a function of counterweightadjustment by using counterweights (40 b) of different thicknesses andsizes.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the sixth embodiment of the elastic weighttraining apparatus (100 c) of this disclosure is shown to be generallyidentical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the mainbody (10 c) includes a first body half 160 and a second body half 170integrally connected to each other. The first body half 160 has a firsthalf inner surface 161 and a first half outer surface 162. The secondbody half 170 has a second half inner surface 171 and a second. halfouter surface 172. The first half inner surface 161 and the second halfinner surface 171 cooperatively form the inner surface 12 of the mainbody (10 c), while the first half outer surface 162 and the second. halfouter surface 172 cooperatively form the outer surface 13 of the mainbody (10 c). The first body half 160 and the second body half 170cooperatively form. the inner space 121 and the opening 14 of the mainbody (10 c). The grip (20 c) includes a first grip half 220 connected tothe first body half 160, and a second grip half 230 connected to thesecond body half 170. The sixth embodiment can achieve the same effectsas those of the embodiment. From the foregoing, the elastic weighttraining apparatus 100, 100′, 100″, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c of thisdisclosure has a simple overall structure and is easy to manufacture.Therefore, the object of this disclosure can indeed be realized.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what areconsidered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intendedto cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope ofthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. An elastic weight training apparatus comprising:a hollow main body made of rubber and having an inner surface thatdefines an inner space, an outer surface opposite to said inner surface,at least one opening extending through said inner and outer surfaces andcommunicating with said inner space, and two positioning portionsdisposed on said inner surface opposite to each other, said main bodyhaving a wall thickness measured from said outer surface to said innersurface, or vice versa; and a grip having a rod-shaped body disposed insaid inner space and having two opposite end portions respectivelyconnected to said positioning portions.
 2. The elastic weight trainingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said positioningportions has a positioning hole communicating with said inner space, andsaid end portions of said grip are respectively inserted into saidpositioning holes of said positioning portions.
 3. The elastic weighttraining apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body furtherhas a center line, and said inner surface has a spherical shapesurrounding the center line.
 4. The elastic weight training apparatus asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said main body has a flat portion located atone side of the center line, said flat portion forming an included anglewith the center line when said elastic weight training apparatus isplaced on a planar surface, said included angle ranging from 30° to 60°.
 5. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein each of said positioning portions has a positioning holeextending through said inner and outer surfaces of said main body andcommunicating with said inner space, said end portions of said griprespectively extending through said positioning holes of saidpositioning portions to protrude out of said main body, said elasticweight training apparatus further comprising at least twocounter-weights respectively mounted on said end portions.
 6. Theelastic weight. training apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidmain body has two said openings, one of said openings being provided inan upper portion of said main body, another one of said openings beingprovided in a lower portion of said main body, each of said end portionsof said grip being provided with an external thread, said grip furtherhaving two blocking members engaged threadedly and respectively to saidexternal threads of said end portions to position said at least twocounterweights on said end portions, respectively.
 7. The elastic weighttraining apparatus as claimed in claim, 1, wherein: each of saidpositioning portions includes fixing member fixed between said inner andouter surfaces of said main body, and a connecting member disposed on arespective one of said end portions of said grip and removably connectedto said fixing member, said fixing member having a plurality of anchorholes formed between said inner and outer surfaces of said main body,and a screw hole surrounded by said anchor holes, said connecting memberincluding a fastening portion and a movable sleeve, said fasteningportion including a threaded shank threadedly engaged to said screwhole, and an external thread section opposite to said threaded shank andhaving a diameter larger than that of said threaded shank, said movablesleeve having a tubular body formed with an internally threaded hole,and an annular flange extending inwardly from a peripheral end of saidtubular body and defining a through hole communicating with saidinternally threaded hole, said movable sleeve being connected threadedlyand removably to said fastening portion through engagement of saidexternal thread section and said internally threaded hole; each of saidend portions of said grip has a head positioned in said tubular body ofsaid movable sleeve of said connecting member of a respective one ofsaid positioning portions such that said movable sleeves of saidconnecting members of said positioning portions are movable toward andaway from each other along a length of said grip; and said elasticweight training apparatus further comprises at least two counterweights,each of which is mounted on said fastening portion of said connectingmember of the respective one of said positioning portions and each ofwhich is positioned between said inner surface of said main body andsaid movable sleeve of said connecting member of the respective one ofsaid positioning portions.
 8. The elastic weight training apparatus asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said main body further has a fixing seatopposite to said opening, and said elastic weight training apparatusfurther comprises an auxiliary counterweight secured to said fixingseat.
 9. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein said wall thickness of said main body at a lower portion thereofis greater than that at an upper portion thereof.
 10. The elastic weighttraining apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein saidmain body furtherhas two cutouts corresponding in position to said positioning portions,each of said positioning portions having a positioning holecommunicating with said inner space and a respective one of saidcutouts, said end portions of said grip respectively extending into saidcutouts through said positioning holes, said elastic weight trainingapparatus further comprising at least two counterweights respectivelyconnected to said end portions and respectively located in said cutouts.11. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid main body includes a first body half and a second body halfconnected to each other, said first body half having a first half innersurface and a first half outer surface, said second body half having asecond half inner surface and a second half outer surface, said firsthalf inner surface and said second half inner surface cooperativelyforming said inner surface of said main body, said first half outersurface and said second half outer surface cooperatively forming saidouter surface of said main body, said first body half and said secondbody half cooperatively forming said opening of said main body, saidgrip including a first grip half connected to said first body half, anda second grip half connected to said second body half.